Bed frame member

ABSTRACT

An improved bed frame member for use in a bed frame as a side member. The improved member includes a horizontal first leg having inner and outer parallel edges, and an upstanding flange of reduced height extending from the horizontal leg at the outer edge thereof to define a confining corner for retaining the lower edge of a box spring. A vertical second leg extends downwardly from the horizontal leg at the inner edge thereof so as to be recessed from the box spring edge. A resilient inverted U-shaped non-metallic runner is engaged over the flange and encloses it so that the box spring covering is protected as the box spring is prevented from shifting.

United States Patent [1 Harris Oct. 28, 1975 BED FRAME MEMBER 3,118,1511/1964 Fredman 5/286 x [75] Inventor: Allan E. Harris, Chicago, Ill.

Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell [73] Ass1gnee: Harris-Hub Co., Inc.,Harvey, Ill.

[22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1973 57 ABSTRACT [2]] Appl' 399,292 An improvedbed frame member for use in a bed [44] Published under the TrialVoluntary Protest frame as a side member' The improved member program onJanuary 2 197 as document cludes a horizontal first leg having inner andouter B 399 292 parallel edges, and an upstanding flange of reducedheight extending from the horizontal leg at the outer 52 US. (:1 5/286;5/193; 5/200 R; edge thereof to dofiho a oohfihiog corner for retaining5 2 9 R the lower edge of a box spring. A vertical second leg 51 lm. c1.A47C 19/00 extends downwardly from the horizontal log at the 58 Fi fSearch U 55 1 193 200 R, 200 B inner edge thereof so as to be recessedfrom the box 5/201 2 207 209 309 33 23 2 spring edge. A resilientinverted U-shaped nonmetallic runner is engaged over the flange and en-5 References Cited closes it so that the box spring covering isprotected as Roche 5/279 R the box spring is prevented from shifting.

16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 BED FRAME MEMBERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to bedframes of the knock-down type, and particularly to bed frames with.members which are substantially recessed within an outer edge of thebox spring.

Conventional bed frames have long employed L- shaped angle irons asframe members comprising two legs of generally equal width, one of whichis horizontally oriented in use, and the other of which is verticallyoriented. The vertically oriented leg typically will extend upwardly toconfine an outer edge of the box spring. When this typical L-shapedangle iron is employed as a side frame member, the presence of thisvertical leg at the spring edge has tended to give rise to muchdiscomfort when the limbs of the user come into accidental contacttherewith, as well as to cuts and abrasions of the cover material of thebox spring. Furthermore, the exposed metal, and particularly the edges,of the vertical leg, has been found to diminish the sales appeal ofbedding employing such angle iron members. Understandably, they giverise to an unfinished impression and to a natural reluctance on the partof the customer to rest in proximity with such members.

In recent years various attempts at a solution to these problems haveappeared. One has considered in orienting the L-shaped member with oneleg extending downwardly inwardly of the box spring edge, whileproviding two or more brackets adjustably attached to the member andextending outwardly to embrace the adjacent box spring edge. With theaid of a plurality of openings, slots, and a carriage bolt cooperatingtherewith, an adjustment is selected to bring the retaining bracket intocontact with the box spring edge. Of course, the use of such loosehardware, which tends to become lost, is not very satisfactory. Asomewhat similar approach using fewer separable parts may be seen in US.Pat. No. 3,123,837 to S. R. Paine, for Foldable Bed Frame. In thatpatent, the box spring retaining brackets are permanently fixed to theside frame member, while the cross frame members each comprise twoelements movably with respect to each other.

However, none of the foregoing structures have been fully satisfactoryin obviating the disadvantages of exposed frame member metal,particularly the loss in sales appeal, as well as the hazards ofuncomfortable accidental contact by the bed user, and the possibility ofabrasions and tears in the cover material of the box spring.Furthermore, the need remains for a bed frame construction without. theabove disadvantages, and which is designed for the present day generallystandardized in size box spring to eliminate cumbersome, time-consuminginstallation procedures. Also, the trend at present is to manufacturebed frames from lighter sheet metal stock, rather than angle iron stock,to provide lighter, more convenient, and variegated shapes for framemembers. Accordingly, the need has arisen for a frame memberconstruction combining the foregoing advantages with strength andrigidity cornparable to the former heavier angleiron frame members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the bed frame of the presentinvention solves the problems encountered in the prior art and providesa structure of improved strength, simplicity,

and attractive external appearance with a two-piece bed frame memberwhose minimal exposed metal has been effectively masked, and whichgreatly simplifies assembly of the complete bed frame.

The improved member of the present invention includes a first elongatedleg which is adapted to be positioned under a box spring member adjacentand beneath one marginal portion thereofThis first leg has inner andouter generally parallel edges from which extend respectively anupstanding flange, and a second leg extending downwardly.

The flange extends upwardly so as to define a confin ing means adaptableto enclose a corner of the marginal portion against shifting, while atthe same time only a relatively small portion of the bed frame member isexposed, the remainder being under the box spring in the case of thefirst leg, and recessed from the edge of the box spring in the case ofthe second leg. Atthe same time, the angled relationships defined by theflange and the two legs make for a frame member of unusual rigidity andstrength.

Engaged over the flange is a resilient inverted U- shaped non-metallicrunner which substantially encloses and covers the flange. In thismanner the box spring is protected from the effect of contact with theedges of the flange at the same time that it is prevented from shifting,while the user of the completed bed is protected from contact with theflange and its edges. Further, an attractive appearance is imparted tothe member, with the runner functioning as a trim strip to provideheretofore unobtainable decorator effects, greatly enhancing salesappeal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is aperspective view of a complete bed frame in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of a side framemember of the bed frame of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the siderail supports a box spring;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 33 of FIG. 2, of theside frame member of the invention;

and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the side rail of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodimentin many different forms, there is shown in the drawing and will hereinbe described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of theinvention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, the bed frame is indicatedin its entirety at 10 and comprises a pair of spaced parallel side framemembers 11 spanned by perpendicular cross frame members 12. In the bedframe as illustrated, the cross frame members 12 are L-shaped metalrails having vertically-arranged legs 14, and horizontally-arrangedgenerally co-planar legs 16. Frame members 11 and 12 cooperate to form abase for supporting a box spring unit 17 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The bed frame assembly is supported by legs 18 having casters attachedthereto, which may be of the type disclosed and claimed in US. Pat. No.3,537,114 to F. J. Mis for Bed Frame Assembly. Similarly, other types ofbed frame supports, and other cross rail configurations may be utilized,including rails having the configuration of side rails 12 herein. Also,cross rails adjustable to fixed standard widths for standard beddingsizes may be utilized; see, for example, US. Pat. No. 3,646,623, to A.E. Harris for Bed Frame Assembly.

The improved side rail members 11 both support box I spring 17, as wellas prevent it from shifting laterally, with a strength and dependabilityat least comparable vto former types of bed rails. Yet each member 11 issubstantially recessed from the outer corner of marginal member 20 ofbox spring 17, and is preferably of lighter construction than comparableL-shaped bed rails.

from inner edge 26 of leg 24, and, although it may be flat, itpreferably comprises offset and/or curved portions, and its height ispreferably at least equal to the width of leg 24, to provide increasedstrength to the member.

In the preferred embodiment, as best appreciated in cross section fromFIG. 3, leg 30 comprises an upper segment 34 inwardly offset, away fromedges 26 and 28, making an obtuse angle with leg 24. A central seg ment38 is continuous with segment 34 and extends downwardly therefrom andslightly forwardly. A lowermost segment 40 extends downwardly fromsegment 38 and is forwardly offset generally in the opposite andcomplimentary sense to upper segment 34. Central segment 38 comprisesthe bulk of leg 30, while the remaining offset segments are generallycomplimentary and of similar height, with each segment smoothly curvinginto its adjoining segment. It should be appreciated that this offsetconfiguration of leg 30 presents the overall appearance of concave curveextending inwardly from inner edge 26 of leg 24, and also that itcontributes an increased margin of strength and rigidity to frame member1 l.

The flange 32 at the outer edge of leg 24 is flat and extends at rightangles to leg 24 in the opposite sense from leg 30. Its height is afraction of the width of leg 24, as well as being of relatively reducedheight as compared to the height of lower leg 30. Thus it describes acorner of minimal size, particularly as compared to typical bed rails.The outer marginal member 20 of box spring 17 is supported uponhorizontal leg 24 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, while the corner defined byflange 32 constitutes an unobtrusive confining means for spring 17 toprevent it from shifting. Moreover, the corner also serves to furtheraugment the strength and rigidity of the frame member.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of frame member 11recesses its major load-bearing leg 30 away from the facing portion ofthe box spring and its lower corner 20. In this manner the danger ofunpleasant accidental contact between the legs of the user of the bedand the frame member 11 is much reduced. Further, this configurationprovides an appreciable improvement in rigidity and strength overconventional bed frame members, such that the improved member may beformed of sheet metal stock. This permits a substantially lighter, lesscumbersome frame member, and one which may be formed more readily intovarious optional shapes.

Frame members 1 1 also include a resilient unitary in verted U-shapedrunner 44 of non-metallic material, preferably plastic or hard rubber,of a height generally equal to flange 32. Runner 44 is comprised of twofacing, spaced, substantially flat sides 46 and 48, with the upper endsthereof bridged by an arched closure portion 50. Runner 44 thus definesan internal channel 52 opening at the lower ends of sides 46 and 48. Inthe illustrated embodiment, sides 46 and 48 are inclined inwardly sothat channel 52 is narrower at the lower ends of sides 46 and 48 than atthe upper ends thereof. Thus, the width of the narrower open end ofchannel 52 is formed so as to be slightly smaller than the thickness offlange 32, while the upper end of channel 32 is wider than this flangethickness.

Frame member 11 is completed by engaging runner 44 over flange 32 sothat sides 46 and 48 respectively contact opposite faces of flange32,-and the lowermost edge of inner side 48 abuts leg 24. In this mannerthe flange is substantially enclosed and concealed by the runner. Thenarrowness of channel 52 at the open end thereof causes the sides 46 and48 near the lower ends thereof to engage flange 32 very firmly, so thatsubstantial effort is required to remove the runner from flange 32. Thepresence of box spring 17 against inner side 46 of the runner causesthat side to move closer to flange 32, and side 48 to bulge outwardly atits upper end.

Thus runner 44 conceals the only remaining portion of member 1 1 whichis not recessed from the possibility of contact with a user of the bedassembly. Even if, despite the reduced profile of flange 32, the beduser contacts the flange, the configuration of the runner defines aprotective resilient zone about the flange which substantially obviatesany possibility of discomfort in normal use. Likewise, resilient runner44 also has the advantage of obviating the possibility of abrasions,snags and cuts of the cover material of box spring 17.

In addition, with the minimally protruding flange 32 covered asdescribed by runner 44, the member has no metal exposed to view toaffect sales appeal adversely. Indeed, the runner functions as a trimstrip to impart an attractive appearance to the member and theassociated bed assembly. Thus the runner may be color ordesign-coordinated with the remainder of the member and the box spring,or it may be colored unobtrusively. In either case, the present bedframe member not only eliminates the unattractiveness and disadvantagesof previous expedients, but permits new decorator and designcombinations to be achieved which are not possible with former bed framemembers. In this manner, sales appeal is greatly enhanced.

If it is desired not to rely only upon the inherent gripping forces ofsides 46 and 48 as the sale means to retain the runner 44 of flange 32,additional holding means may be provided. For example, side 48 couldhave an inwardly extending portion at the lower end thereof that wouldseat flushly against the upper surface of horizontal bed frame portion24 beneath the corner of the box spring, so that the weight of the boxspring and mattress (not shown) will cooperate to retain the runner inplace. Such an inwardly extending portion may be substantiallycoextensive in width with bed frame portion 24 or may extend inwardlyonly partly thereof. Alternatively (or additionally) side 46 may have aninwardly extending portion at the lower end thereof that is positionedflushly against the lower surface of horizontal bed frame portion 24,and such portion may be coextensive in width with portion 24, or mayproject inwardly only a fraction thereof.

Various other types of additional holding means will occur to thoseskilled in the art. For example, one or both of sides 46 and 48 may beadhesively bonded to flange 32. Alternatively, a detent type of holdingmeans could be provided, such as a horizontal rib on side 46 or 48 (orboth) and a corresponding recess on flange 32, or one or more ribs onflange 32 and corresponding recesses on legs 46 and 48.

Accordingly, a bed frame member has been disclosed which provides anovel structure which is at once simpler than prior art recessed framemembers, yet stronger and susceptible to fabrication from lighter weightmaterials. Further, the member is at least as effective as priorexpedients in retaining the box spring from shifting. Yet the member ofthe invention is nonhazardous both to the user of the bed, and to thecover material of the box spring, while at the same time beingexternally attractive and offering heretofore unobtainable decoratorpossibilities.

I claim:

1. A unitary and integral bed frame member adapted to support a boxspring member comprising:

a first elongated leg adapted to be positioned under said box springmember adjacent and along one marginal portion thereof, said leg havinginner and outer generally parallel edges;

an flange extending upwardly from said first leg at the outer edgethereof so as to define a confining means adaptable to enclose thecorner of the marginal portion of said box spring, said flange extendinggenerally from end to end of said first leg;

a second leg extending downwardly from the inner edge of said first leg;

and a resilient inverted U-shaped non-metallic runner engaged over saidflange and generally coextensive therewith so as to substantiallyenclose and conceal said flange, whereby said box spring is protected assaid flange retains said box spring against shifting.

2. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which said flange defines aright angle with respect to said first leg.

3. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which said flange has a heightwhich is a fraction of the width of said first leg.

4. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which said second leg has aheight which is at least equal to the width of said first leg.

5. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which at least a portion ofsecond leg is offset away from said inner edge of said first leg.

6. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which at least a portion of saidsecond leg is curved concavely away from the inner edge of said firstleg.

7. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which said runner has a heightgenerally equal to said flange, whereby said flange is fully enclosedand concealed.

8. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which said U-shaped runnerdefines a pair of facing sides, spaced so that the separationtherebetween is less than the thickness of said flange at the open endof said runner, whereby said sides firmly and resiliently engage saidflange on opposite faces thereof.

9. A bed frame member as in claim 8, wherein said sides of said runnerdefine a channel having a thickness greater than said flange at theclosed end of said channel, thereby defining a resilient zone about saidflange.

10. A bed frame member as in claim 1, wherein said first and second legand said flange are integrally formed of sheet metal.

1 1. A unitary, integral, and non-hazardous bed frame member of improvedrigidity and strength adapted to support a box spring member and toprevent shifting of said spring, said frame member comprising:

a first elongated generally flat leg adapted to be positioned under saidbox spring member along a marginal portion thereof, said leg havinginner and outer generally parallel edges;

an upstanding flange extending from said first leg at the outer edgethereof so as to define a corner adaptable to enclosing said box springmarginal portion, said flange extending generally from end to end ofsaid first leg and having a reduced height which is a fraction of thewidth of said first leg;

a second leg extending downwardly from the inner edge of said first legin the opposite sense from said flange, said first and second legs beingsubstantially recessed from said box spring marginal portion, saidoppositely extending second leg and flange providing improved strengthand rigidity;

and a resilient inverted U-shaped non-metallic runner engaged over saidflange and generally coextensive therewith so as to substantiallyenclose and conceal said flange, said runner having an inner dimensionat the upper end thereof which is greater than the thickness of saidflange, whereby said box spring is protected while being retainedagainst shifting, and the possibility of accidental unpleasant contactwith said frame member is substantially reduced.

12. a bed frame member as in claim 11 wherein said runner is providedwith holding means for positively retaining the same on said flange.

13. A bed frame member as in claim 12 wherein said holding meansincludes an inwardly extending portion at the lower end of the inner legof said runner, said inwardly extending portion being positioned on theupper surface of said first flat leg beneath said box spring.

14. A bed frame member as in claim 12 wherein said holding meansincludes an inwardly extending portion at the lower end of the outer legof said runner, said inwardly extending portion being positioned on saidfirst flat leg.

15. A bed frame member as in claim 12 wherein said holding means isdefined by means adhesively bonding said runner to said flange.

16. A bed frame member as in claim 12 wherein said holding means isdefined by cooperating detent means on said runner and flange.

1. A unitary and integral bed frame member adapted to support a boxspring member comprising: a first elongated leg adapted to be positionedunder said box spring member adjacent and along one marginal portionthereof, said leg having inner and outer generally parallel edges; anflange extending upwardly from said first leg at the outer edge thereofso as to define a confining means adaptable to enclose the corner of themarginal portion of said box spring, said flange extending generallyfrom end to end of said first leg; a second leg extending downwardlyfrom the inner edge of said first leg; and a resilient inverted U-shapednon-metallic runner engaged over said flange and generally coextensivetherewith so as to substantially enclose and conceal said flange,whereby said box spring is protected as said flange retains said boxspring against shifting.
 2. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in whichsaid flange defines a right angle with respect to said first leg.
 3. Abed frame member as in claim 1, in which said flange has a height whichis a fraction of the width of said first leg.
 4. A bed frame member asin claim 1, in which said second leg has a height which is at leastequal to the width of said first leg.
 5. A bed frame member as in claim1, in which at least a portion of second leg is offset away from saidinner edge of said first leg.
 6. A bed frame member as in claim 1, inwhich at least a portion of said second leg is curved concavely awayfrom the inner edge of said first leg.
 7. A bed frame member as in claim1, in which said runner has a height generally equal to said flange,whereby said flange is fully enclosed and concealed.
 8. A bed framemember as in claim 1, in which said U-shaped runner defines a pair offacing sides, spaced so that the separation therebetween is less thanthe thickness of said flange at the open end of said runner, wherebysaid sides firmly and resiliently engage said flange on opposite facesthereof.
 9. A bed frame member as in claim 8, wherein said sides of saidrunner define a channel having a thickness greater than said flange atthe closed end of said channel, thereby defining a resilient zone aboutsaid flange.
 10. A bed frame member as in claim 1, wherein said firstand second leg and said flange are integrally formed of sheet metal. 11.A unitary, integral, and non-hazardous bed frame member of improvedrigidity and strength adapted to support a box spring member and toprevent shifting of said spring, said frame member comprising: a firstelongated generally flat leg adapted to be positioned under said boxspring member along a marginal portion thereof, said leg having innerand outer generally parallel edges; an upstanding flange extending fromsaid first leg at the outer edge thereof so as to define a corneradaptable to enclosing said box spring marginal portion, said flangeextending generally from end to end of said first leg and having areduced height which is a fraction of the width of said first leg; asecond leg extending downwardly from the inner edge of said first leg inthe opposite sense from said flange, said first and second legs beingsubstantially recessed from said box spring marginal portion, saidoppositely extending second leg and flange providing improved strengthand rigidity; and a resilient inverted U-shaped non-metallic runnerengaged over said flange and generally coextensive therewith so as tosubstantially enclose and conceal said flange, said runner having aninner dimension at the upper end thereof which is greater than thethickness of said flange, whereby said box spring is protected whilebeing retained against shifting, and the possibility of accidentalunpleasant contact with said frame member is substantially reduced. 12.A bed frame member as in claim 11 wherein said runner is provided withholding means for positively retaining the same on said flange.
 13. Abed frame member as in claim 12 wherein said holding means includes aninwardly extending portion at the lower end of the inner leg of saidrunner, said inwardly extending portion being positioned on the uppersurface of said first flat leg beneath said box spring.
 14. A bed framemember as in claim 12 wherein said holding means includes an inwardlyextending portion at the lower end of the outer leg of said runner, saidinwardly extending portion being positioned on said first flat leg. 15.A bed frame member as in claim 12 wherein said holding means is definedby means adhesively bonding said runner to said flange.
 16. A bed framemember as in claim 12 wherein said holding means is defined bycooperating detent means on said runner and flange.